Xbox One's Smart Match brings multitasking to matchmaking

Xbox One players won't be tethered to a matchmaking lobby when using the next-gen console's Smart Match system, thanks to the console's built-in multitasking capabilities, according to a post today on Xbox Wire by Xbox Live senior product marketing manager Mike Lavin.

The "completely reengineered" matchmaking system also broadens the party system, which was limited to people you knew through the beacon system on Xbox 360. On Xbox One, "games will be able to share player stats with Xbox Live and each other; to learn, evolve, and provide you with the best possible matchmaking available," Lavin wrote. Matchmaking will now take into account skill, language, reputation and gameplay style to pair you with likeminded players.

Smart Match will also allow players to multitask while matchmaking is in progress. With instant switching and Snap mode, which allows players to do more than one thing at once, players won't be confined to lobbies in situations like "less popular multiplayer modes and maps that have traditionally taken a long time to find players."

As it's working in the background, Smart Match will notify players when the matchmaking process has completed.

"Once Xbox One is done finding your perfect match," Lavin wrote, "it will prompt you with a simple toast — no matter where you are or what you're doing — so you can jump straight into playing."

Microsoft unveiled Smart Match in late May, touting the system's ability to better pair players on the next-gen console.